Arts Directory

Dr. Denise Crute is a physician, artist, and illustrator. Among her earliest memories are drawing pictures with her father. She began painting at age 6 and entered her first juried art show at age 12. By the time Dr. Crute was in high school she was teaching painting lessons, and in medical school she sold paintings to pay living expenses. Today she continues work as a fine artist, scientific and medical illustrator.

Dr. Crute’s paintings and drawings chronicle her keen observations and multifaceted experiences as a neurointensivist, a neurosurgeon, an international medical volunteer, an outdoor enthusiast, a teacher, a wife, and a mother. Dr. Crute’s work may be purchased online or in person at Mighty Spark Studio in Rockford, Illinois (https://denisecrute.wix.com/mightysparkstudio). The book, Heart of a Lion, Hands of a Woman, which features many of her paintings and drawings, may be purchased online at http://marketplace.aans.org.  You may also contact Dr. Crute directly at denise.crute1@yahoo.com She gladly accepts commissions. All profits from Mighty Spark Studio are donated to international medical aid.

Rockford artist Michelle Dorr is best know for her colorful furniture and funky wall pieces.  Many are included in personal and corporate collections including hospitals, restaurants and offices.  About 5 years ago her love of animals and a passion for painting led her to pet portraits.  Michelle has done over 80 commissioned portraits for animal lovers as far away as Germany.

Growing up in a family of artists Michelle watched her father, who was local artist Willard Dorr, paint animal and human portraits.  She is primarily a self taught artist but learned from him how to paint the eyes to capture the soul.  Michelle lives in Rockford in a fun colorful house with her husband Tom and her beloved animal family of 2 dogs and 2 cats, all rescued animals.

Please visit my website: http://www.michelledorr.com. Or call for an appointment to see more portraits in my home and studio. 815-399-0694.

I was born in 1960 in Israel.  Graduated from Ramat-Asharon Art College in 1991 and in 1996 moved to Rockford, IL with my family.  Since then I have been painting, using a variety of mediums and styles and showing my art throughout the U.S. but also in 3 privately owned galleries in Rockford, IL.  Roni is currently the owner of State of the Art Contemporary Gallery.

“My creative energy and curiosity drives mainly from discovering the extraordinary in the everyday life.  Observing different patterns created either by nature, man or machine reveals to me the unique and unexpected life hidden underneath the surface.
Our basic need to organize life in groups and repeating patterns in order to make sense of the world can also be a danger of limiting our ability to see a wider more complex angle.  My work tries to uncover some other possibilities that are usually hidden.”

Selected galleries:
“Gioia Fine Art” San-Francisco, CA
“Van-Hart” Gallery, Yorba Linda, CA
“Vgallery” Lake Geneva, WI
“Calhoun St. Art Gallery” Bluffton, NC
“Vale Craft Gallery” Chicago, IL

Collections:
“Steve Wynn Casino Resort” Las-Vegas, NV

Ingrid Hyde attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, earned a B.S. in Art Education from Northern Illinois University, and a M.A. in School Administration and Leadership from St. Xavier University.  Her work has been displayed in juried shows, galleries, and private and corporate collections around the United States.  She is currently an Art Director and educator in the public schools and has developed a Success Based Art Curriculum for all ages and abilities.

“Sweet Spot” Acrylic and spray paint on canvas

“Color Sting” Acrylic and spray paint on canvas

My work is about bold colors, textures and playfulness.  Subject matter is not of much importance.  I focus more on the movement of my brush strokes, vibrancy of color and adding bits of humor to my art.  I let my mood and my brush strokes guide my vision, and often what starts out as a painting of one thing turns into another.  What inspires me is in the randomness of that particular moment.

I use oils and acrylics, though tend to favor the heaviness and fluidity of oils.  I carry this notion into my drawings as well, where I also favor oil pastels.  My work comes in a variety of sizes ranging from about 2″x3″ to 4’x6′.  For more information on my work or current projects please visit my website @www.megsartspot.com.